Shelf supporting bracket



May 10, 1960 R. J. STEWART SHELF SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed June 16, 1958INVENTOR 2085er J. arm/APT A WOP/V596 nitfed States Patent SHELFSUPPORTING BRACKET Robert J. Stewart, Comstock Park, Mich., assigner toThe Bulman Corporation, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of MichiganApplication June 16, 1958, Serial No. 742,322

8 Claims. (Cl. 248-243) of display desired and according to the type ofmerchandise being displayed. However, in a continuous attempt -toimprove this type of device, it becomes desirable to provide a shelf`structure which is simple and economical to manufacture but which canbe arranged to occupy )either a horizontal position or a slantedposition and which canbe arranged to occupy either a horizontal positionor a slantedposition and which can be easily con- -verted from oneposition to the other position without the necessity of manipulatingsuch fastening means as bolts or screws.

However, in carrying out this general purpose, one

, ,problem is of particular importance and has not, insofar as I amaware, been previously solved. Where, shelving is interchangeable fromone position to another, and can be so changed while it is in anassembled condition and .even while it is loaded, there is a greattemptation on' the lpart of store personnel to effect such changes withthe Vshelves loaded more heavily than the person making the change cansafely handle. in this results in dropping the shelf or spilling thecontents thereof, the store operators frequently blame the shelving andposition changeable shelving thereby acquires a bad reputation.Accordingly, in designing shelving of this type, it is desirable toinclude in such design safety features that will make it impossible forthe shelving to fall out or become displaced into any position otherthan one of the two operating positions as VVa result of changing fromone position to the other while the shelf is loaded.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention are: (l) To provide a shelfbracket construction receivable v.into a supporting post having aplurality of spaced slots and which is receivable thereinto in either oftwo positions, whereby a shelf supported thereon may occupy either oftwo positions with respect to the horizontal.

(2) To provide a bracket, as aforesaid, which cannot occupy. other thanits two normal operating positions dur- .ing ordinary manipulationthereof and particularly which will be safe from dropping into anabnormal position as Va result of or during the ordinary changingthereof from one of its normal positions to the other thereof.

. (3) To provide a shelf bracket, as aforesaid, which l c an be movedfrom one position to another by a simple manipulation, which may includea lifting operation, but

which cannot escape from one of its two normal positions by other than acompound movement of such character Ythat, while easy to perform when.the operator desires to n Firice move the shelf, it is highly unlikelyto be performed accidentally and during an ordinary position changingoperation.

(4) To provide a shelf bracket, as foresaid, which is of extremelysimple construction and can be made very inexpensively.

(5) To provide a shelf bracket, as aforesaid, which can be readily movedfrom one position to the other position with respect to the horizontalby a simple manipulation and without the necessity of manipulatingbolts, screws or other similar types of fastening devices.

(6) To provide a shelf bracket, as aforesaid, which is readily usable inassociation with presently known vertical column structures.

(7) To provide a shelf bracket which will be of ample strength for allordinary service but wherein such strength will not detract from theeconomy and ease of manipulation above set forth.

(8) To provide a shelf bracket, as aforesaid, which is readily adaptablefor use with a wide variety of specific shelf-engaging devices in orderthat a wide variety of particular kinds and types of shelves may besupported on and by said bracket.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will become apparent topersons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading thefollowing specification and inspection of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an oblique view of a vertical column of previously knowntype in association with a shelf supporting bracket embodying theinvention.

Figure 2 is a side view of said column and shelf supporting bracket ofthe invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figures 2and 4.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view substantially as taken along the line IV-IVof Figure 3, showing the shelf bracket of the invention in a differentposition.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 3.

In general In general, the invention consists of providing a pair ofoppositely directed h ooks near the upper portion of the bracketstructure and a hook and spacer device near a lower portion of thebracket structure. When the shelf is in one position, one of the upperhooks and the lower hook cooperate to extend through a pair ofvertically spaced slots and engage the lower edges of said slots. Inother position, the bracket is caused to ride upon the spacer deviceabove-mentioned and thereby urges the other of the upper hooks intoengagement with the upper side of the uppermost of two vertically spacedslots.

Detailed description For purposes of convenience in description, certainterminology will be used which will be understood as descriptive onlyand not limiting. The following designations of particular words will beunderstood also to include derivatives of said words and words ofsimilar ,irriport. The terms upward and downward will-` refer Referringnow to the drawings in more detai1,.=ther is here utilized to illustratethe invention a .vertical. columnof the type shown in the patent to E.W. Waltz, No. 2,684,224, issued July 20, 1954 and assigned to E. O.Bulman Manufacturing Company, Inc. It will be understood, however, thatthe column illustrated in this patent is only oneof many different typesof columns with which the bracket of the invention may be advantageouslyused and said bracket may be utilized with practically any column havingvertically aligned and kvertically spaced slots.

While the .column herein utilized in association'with the bracket of theinvention is fully disclosed and described in the above-identiiiedpatent, a brief description will be presented herein forpurposes ofconvenient reference.

The column comprises in `this particular embodiment a pair ofback-to-back arranged U-shaped channels 1 and 2, the channel 1 beingprovided with flanges 3 and 4 and the channel 2 being provided withflanges 6 and 7 for strengthening purposes in a well-known manner. Theweb 8 of channel 1 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinallyarranged and longitudinally spaced lanced out sections 9, 10 and 11which sections have central portions 12 arranged parallel with the webof the channel and angularly positioned integral connecting portions 13and 14 at each end of said central portion. The other channel 2 hassimilarly lanced out sections 16, 17y and 18 :having similar centralportions 19 and similarly integrally connected end portions 21 and22.The channels are arranged together in such relationship with each otherthat u each of the lanced out portions nest between a pair of ladjacentlanced out portions on the opposite channel (Figure 2) and the parts maythen befastened in any vconvenient means such as spot-welding `forproviding a very firm and rigid structure. The openings 22, 23

and 24'deiined between each lanced out section and the web from whichsaid lanced out section was taken provide the desired vertically alignedand vertically spaced slots into which the bracket extends.

Turning now to the bracket structure embodying the invention, there isshown a bracket arm 26 to which may 'be fastened in any convenientmanner, 'such as by spotwelding, a shelf supporting and retainingdevice. In the vpresent case, said shelf supporting and ,retainingdevice Yhas an -angle 4member 27 for distributing the reaction pressureof the bracket against the shelf and the ears 28 and 29 for holding theshelf against motion toward or vaway from the vertical columns on whichit is supported. However, it will be understood that the particularshelf engaging 'structure used is entirely `optional and .it is usuallya function of the type of shelf being used and can be varied widely asdesired in a particular installation without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

The end of the bracket ann 26 extending toward the column dividesgenerally rinto an upper extension 31 and a lower extension 32. Theupper extension 31 terminates in a. downwardly extending hook 33 and anupwardly extending hook 34, which hooks are substantially opposite eachother in back-to-back relationship. 'I'he lower extension 32 has a lowerfirst supporting surface 36 which extends substantially horizontallythrough a zone which is below and offset somewhat forwardly from thedown- Awardly extending hook 33 when the parts are arranged to holdashelf horizontally as appearing in Figure 4. A `downwardly extendingstop 37 extends downwardly from said lower supporting surface 36 forpurposes appearing hereinafter. A second lower supporting surface 38appears `as a smoothly curved surface `extending horizontally forwardlyfrom the stop 37 and curving through approximately as many degrees ofcurvature as the shelf is desired 'to shift from one position to theother position,

the Afrontward portion of said second Vsupporting surface 138 being`substantially horizontal when the zshelf and shelfbracket are in their`second or tilted position. A second stop 42 is provided for purposesappearing hereinafter. The spacing from the lower edge-43 ofthe upper vextension '31:tothe first supporting surface 36k ofthe lower extension32 is substantially equal (less clearance space) to the distance betweenthe lower edges of a pair of hook receiving slots, as the slots 22 and24. The distance from the rearward end of the upper edge 44 of the upperextension 31 to the second stop 42 is Isubst-antial-ly equal (lessclearance space) to the distance from 4an upper edge of the slotreceiving the 4extension 31 to the lower edge of the slot Vreceiving thelower extension 32.

Further, the distance from the lower edge 35 of the lower hook 33 to theupper edge 45 of the upper hook 34 is slightly, but only slightly,greater than the distance from the lower edge of the upper opening 22 tothe upper edge of the said opening 22, -all for reasons appearinghereinafter.

Operation The operation of the shelf bracket above described will beself-evident from the description of the device, but some furtherspecific description of Iits manner of operation will be set forth forcomplete clarity in an understanding of the invention.

When theshelf bracket is to be positioned horizontally, the extensions31 and 32 span a vertical `dist-ance slightly greater than the availablespace between the lower edge of a lower opening 24 and the lower edge ofan upper opening as the opening 22. Since the distance from the `loweredge of the lower hook 33 to the upper edge 45 of the upper hook 34 isgreater than the vertical dimension of the opening 22, it will benecessary to tilt the bracket counterclockwise (as'appearing in Figure4) in order to pass the hooks 33 land 34 throughl said Vopening Eand toplace the upperhook 34 to the left of the leftward extent of the opening22 before the rst supporting surface 36 enters the opening 24. Thus,with the parts so introduced into vertically spaced slots 22 and 24 andwith their lower ,edges 43 and 36, respectively, ycontacting therespective Vlower edges of Asaid slots 22 and 24, the downwardly-extending hook 33 bears against an inward side of the material definingthe said slot 22 and the iirst stop 37 bears against the outer side ofthe material defining the lower edge of the slot 24, 'thereby resistingthe bending movement applied .thereto by a load placed on the shelf andeffecting a full and adequate support of said shelf.

When it is desired to place the shelf in a tilted position, the bracketis merely lifted suliiciently to enable the lower edge of that portionof the lower extension 32 dening the` first stop 37 tol clear `the loweredge of the lower slot and same is then rotated in a 4clockwisedirection as appearing in Figure 4 until the upper hook 34 engages thevinner side o'f the material 'dening the upper end of said upper slot 22and the second stop 42 engages the outer side of thelower Vedge ofthelower slot '24.

In this position, parts are in position shown-in Figure 5.

It will be recognized that the moving of this bracket from itshorizontal position to its tilted positionvmay be easily and simplycarried out by ordinary personnel and, further, for adjusting arelatively short shelf it will be found convenient to grasp eachv end ofthe shelf by each respectively of the operators two hands and move sameas desired. Thus, it will be recognized that the adjustment can becarried out readily and without disassembling the shelf structure andevemunder some circumstances, while the shelf remains loaded.

Since the distance as above described from the lower edge 35 of thelower hook 33 to the upper edge 45 of the upper `hook 34 is lslightlygreater than the corresponding dimension ofthe slot 22, there is nopossibility ,that said hooks will be able to pass through the slot 22when the bracket is in its horizontal position. In View of the presenceof the stops 37 and 42, it will not be possible for the hooks 33 and 34to be passed through said slot by tilting same in a clockwise direction.Therefore,.it will be impossible -forthe bracket to escape from saidslots either by Vdirect horizontal movement or by clockwise tiltingzthereof.. Accordingly, it will be-.impossibleggforgsaid .j bracket toescape from said slots during shifting from one position to anotherposition.

However, when it is desired to remove the bracket from said slots, thiscan be done very simply by first lifting the bracket su'ciently toenable the lower hook 33 to clear the lower edge of the upper slot 22and then by tilting the bracket in a counterclockwise directionsufficiently to enable the hooks 33 and 34 to clear the correspondinglyadjacent ends of the upper slot 22. This may be assisted by bevellingthe lower corner of the hook 33 as indicated at 48.

Thus, the shelf can be readily moved from its horizontal position to itstilted position and there is no danger at all that the shelf can escapefrom either of such positions even if the operator should completelyrelease the shelf at any point in its movement from one position to theother position. Nevertheless, the shelf can be readily and easilyremoved when desired but the motion for so doing is a suficientlydifferent motion than the motion involved in moving the shelf fromeither position to the other position that it is very unlikely to occuraccidentally.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has herein been utilizedfor illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that a variety of otherstructures can be provided utilizing the substance of `the invention andaccordingly the hereinafter appended claims will be interpreted asincluding such other structures excepting as said claims may by theirown terms expressly require otherwise.

What is claimed is:

l. A bracket for holding a shelf alternately in two positions on andwith respect to a vertically positioned post, said post having at leasttwo vertically aligned and vertically spaced slots therein, comprisingin combination: a bracket arm having at the rearward end thereof a pairof vertically spaced extensions extending rearwardly therefrom, saidextensions being spaced a center line distance substantially equal tothe center line spacing between said slots; a pair of substantiallyback-to-back arranged hooks at the rearward extremity of the uppermostone of said extensions, one hook extending upwardly and the other hookextending downwardly; a first supporting surface on the lower side ofsaid lower extension, said surface being substantially horizontal whensaid bracket arm is aligned for supporting said shelf horizontally and adownwardly extending first stop at the forward end of said surface and asecond supporting surface extending from said rst stop further forwardlyand having a downwardly extending second stop at the forward endthereof, said last named supporting surface being curved from said firststop to said second stop so that said last named supporting surface issubstantially horizontal when said bracket is in 4its tilted position,whereby when the bracket is in its horizontal position the firstsupporting surface and the first stop rests against the lower end of thelowermost of said slots and the downwardly extending hook on the upperextension engages the lower rearward edge of the uppermost of saidslots, and when said bracket is in its tilted position the secondsupporting surface and the second stop engages the lower edge of thelowermost of said slots and the upwardly extending hook on said upperextension engages the upper rearward edge of the uppermost one of saidslots.

2. The structure defined in claim l wherein said lower second supportingsurface is a smooth curve extending from the lowermost extremity of thesaid rst stop to the uppermost end of said second stop.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the distance from the upperedge of the upper hook to the lower edge of the upper hook is slightlygreater than the vertical extent of the uppermost of said slots, wherebythe bracket is required to be rotated slightly in a direction to movethe shelf supporting portion upwardly in order to pass said bracketthrough the upper of said slots.

4. 'A bracket for supporting a shelf on an upright post and selectivelyholding same in a plurality of positions with respect thereto, said posthaving at least two ver tically spaced slots therein, comprising incombination: a bracket arm having at the rearward end thereof a pair ofvertically spaced extensions extending rearwardly therefrom, saidextensions being vertically spaced a suficient distance that same maysimultaneously extend through said slots; the upper one of saidextensions having first and second stop means extending upwardly anddownwardly therefrom and engageable, respectively, with the upper andlower edges of the upper slot so that said upper extension may be movedwithin said upper slo-t between positions where the second stop meansengages said lower edge of said upper slot and said first stop meansengages sai-d upper edge of said upper slot; said lower extension havinga first support portion and third stop means extending downwardlytherefrom and engageable with the lower edge of the lower slot when saidsecond stop means engages the lower edge of said upper slot so that saidbracket arm may be located in one of its positions with respect to saidpost, said lower extension having a second support portion offsethorizontally from said first support portion and fourth stop meansextending downwardly therefrom and engageable with the lower edge forthe `lower slot when said first stop means engages the upper edge ofsaid upper slot so that said bracket may be located in the other of itspositions with respect to said post.

5. A bracket for supporting a shelf on :an upright post and selectivelyholding same in a plurality of positions with respect thereto, said posthaving at least two vertically spaced slots therein, comprising incombination: a bracket arm having at the rearward endl thereof a pair ofvertically spaced extensions extending rearwardly therefrom, saidextensions being vertically spaced a sufcient distance that same maysimultaneously extend through said slots; the upper one of saidextensions having an upper hook extending upwardly from the upper edgethereof and having a lower hook extending downwardly from the lower edgethereof, said hooks being offset horizontally from each other so thatthey can be moved between positions where the upper hook is adyjacentthe upper edge of the upper slot or the lower hook is adjacent the loweredge of the upper slot; said lower extension having a first supportportion and first stop means extending downwardly therefrom andengageable with the lower edge of the lower slot when said lower hook isadjacent the lower edge of said upper slot whereby said bracket arm maybe positioned in one of its positions with respect to said post, saidextension having a second support portion offset horizontally from saidfirst support portion and second stop means extending downwardlytherefrom and engageable with. the lower edge of the lower slot whensaid upper hook is adjacent the upper edge of said upper slot wherebysaid bracket arm may be positioned in another of its positions withrespect to said post.

6. A bracket according to claim 5 wherein said second support surfaceextends forwardly from the lower end of said second stop and is inclinedupwardly at a slight angle.

7. A bracket for supporting a shelf on an upright post and selectivelyholding same in a plurality of positions with respect thereto, said posthaving at least two vertically spaced slots therein, comprising incombination: a bracket arm having at the rearward end thereof a pair ofvertically spaced extensions extending rearwardly therefrom, saidextensions being vertically spaced a sufficient distance that same maysimultaneously extend through said slots; the upper one of saidextensions having a pair of substantially back-to-back arranged hooksadjacent the rearward end thereof, one of said hooks extending upwardlyand the other hook extending downwardly, the forward edge of said upperhook being offset rearwardly from the forward edge of said lower hook;the lower edge of said lower extension having a first,

substantially horizontally extending, support portion adjacent itsrearward end; a first, downwardly extending vstop portion at the forwardend of said rst support portion; a second support portion extendingforwardly from the lower edge of said first stop portion and beingslightly curved upwardly therefrom; and a second, downwardly extendingstop portion at the forward end of said second support portion.

l8. A bracket for supporting a shelf on an upright post and selectivelyholding same in a plurality of positions with respect thereto, said posthaving at ieast two vertically spaced slots therein, comprising incombination: a bracket arm having at the rearward end thereof a pair ofvertically spaced extensions extending rearwardly therefrom, saidextensions being vertically spaced a sufficient distance that same maysimultaneously extend through said slots; the upper one of saidextensions having a pair of substantially back-to-back arranged hooksadjacent the rearward end thereof, one of said hooks extending upwardlyand the other hook extending downwardly, the forward edge of said upperhook being offset rearwardly from the forward edge of said lower hook;the vertical distance between the upper edge of said upper hook and thelower edge of said lower hook being slightly greater than the verticaldistance between the upper and lower edge of said upper slot; the loweredge of said lower extension having a first, substantiallyhorizontallyextending, support portiony adjacent its rearward end; `afirst, downwardly extending stop portion at the forward end of saidfirst support portion; a Vsecond support portion extending forwardlyfrom the lower edge of said first stop portion and being slightly curvedupwardly therefrom; a second, downwardly extending -stop portion at theforward end of said second support portion; the vertical distancebetween a portion of the lower edge of said upper extension locatedforwardly of said hooks and said first support portion beingsubstantially equal to the distance between the lower edges of saidslots and the distance between a portion of the upper edge of said upperextension located forwardly of and adjacent the forward edge of saidupper hook and the point at which said second support portion joins saidi second stop portion being substantially equal to the vertical distancebetween the upper edge of the upper slot and the lower edge of the lowerslot; the portion ofthe rearward edge of said bracket armV which liesbetween said extensions extending forwardly and downwardly from saidupper extension to said lower extension.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,684,224 Waltz July 20, 1954 2,691,502 Jones Oct. 12, 1954 2,788,949Curries Apr. 16, 1957

